ABSTRACT
The European Union (EU) consists of 28 countries with a combined population of 508 million. The establishment of the EU is the culmination of a lengthy historical process started at the end of World War II. The general principles of the EU include: fundamental human rights, subsidiarity, proportionality, legitimate expectations, nondiscrimination, and legality and legal certainty. The acquis refers to the entire body of law generated by the EU or relating to the EU. Before entering the EU, a candidate country must agree to make the acquis a part of its national law. There are four major institutions that make up the EU government: Council, Commission, Parliament, and EU Court of Justice (ECJ). The ECJ is the EU's "supreme court" that is viewed as the protector of EU Treaties by ensuring the proper interpretation and implementation of EU law. The ECJ is the highest judicial authority in the EU.
